Arcane Mage PvP Stat Priority, Gear, and Trinkets — The War Within (11.2)

The stat priority for Arcane Mage in PvP is as follows:

1. Intellect;
2. Haste;
3. Versatility;
4. Mastery;
5. Critical Strike.

Intellect is the best stat in all situations. Haste is the best secondary stat. This stat will reduce your global cooldown and the cast times of important spells like Polymorph, as well as overall damage spells. This is followed by Versatility, which will reduce the damage you take while also increasing the damage you deal. Finally, Mastery will be the next targeted stat as it will increase your damage.

In general, Arcane Mages want to get trinkets that line up well with Arcane Surge or Touch of the Magi. These trinkets can have a passive or on-use effect. The stat you want to prioritize increases to is Intellect. This is due to the fact Intellect drastically increases your overall damage output. Please refer to our dedicated page for more information about Arcane Power and your rotation in PvP.

Below, you will find our current BiS list.

• Head: Augur's Ephemeral Wide-Brim
• Neck: Algari Competitor's Amulet - Crafted with Versatility & Haste
• Shoulders: Augur's Ephemeral Orbs of Power
• Cloak: Reshii Wraps - With Haste
• Chest: Augur's Ephemeral Habiliments
• Wrists: Astral Gladiator's Silk Armbands
• Hands: Augur's Ephemeral Mitts
• Waist: Consecrated Cord - Crafted with Versatility & Haste
• Legs: Augur's Ephemeral Trousers
• Feet: Algari Competitor's Cloth Treads - Crafted with Versatility & Haste
• Ring 1: Algari Competitor's Signet - Crafted with Versatility & Haste
• Ring 2: Algari Competitor's Signet - Crafted with Versatility & Haste
• Trinket 1: Astral Gladiator's Medallion
• Trinket 2: Astral Gladiator's Insignia of Alacrity
• 2H Weapon: Astral Gladiator's Staff

Note: It is essential that you wear two PvP trinkets. This will give you a Stamina and stat boost that will in turn increase your survivability.

As noted above, acquiring both your 2-set and 4-set bonus is crucial. It is important to note that ALL tier sets are nerfed to 33% effectiveness in PvP. Although this nerf is significant, tier sets are still important to acquire to maximize your chances of winning. In Patch 11.2, there are different tier sets for each different hero talent for each specialization. Below are the different tier sets for Arcane Mage.

• 2-set: Arcane Blast damage increased by 12% and Arcane Blastgrants 1 stack of Arcane Harmony. Direct Splinter damage has a 25% chance to grant a stack of Arcane Harmony.
• 4-set: Arcane Splinter damage increased by 8%. Arcane Orb has a 100% chance to grant a stack of Arcane Harmony, up to 8 times. Upon reaching 20 stacks of Arcane Harmony, gain Intuition at 100% effectiveness.

Although this tier set does give a decent amount of damage, the overall talent tree is not the greatest and is not recommended.

• 2-set: Spellfire Spheres spell damage bonus increased by 1.0%. Mana Cascade now grants an additional 0.5% Haste per stack.
• 4-set: Exceptional spells cast by your Phoenix adds an additional 0.5 sec to the duration of your next Arcane Soul. When your Phoenix expires, it empowers you even further beyond, granting Lesser Time Warp and 20% increased spell damage for 10 sec.

This tier set is a fantastic choice for Arcane Mages and is the recommended build for PvP.

Embellishments are bonuses that can be put on crafted gear. These effects can have a drastic impact on the game. You are only allowed to have two Embellishments equipped at the same time. Here are the recommended Embellishments for Arcane Mage:

• Elemental Focusing Lens. This Embellishment causes your damaging spells and abilities to have a chance to deal damage to your target. This is a flat increase to your overall damage output. Craft this on both rings or your neck.
• Ascendance/ Writhing Armor Banding. While in combat, Ascendance grants 89 of a random secondary stat, stacking up to 10 times. Writhing Armor Banding doubles this affect. Overall, this is a good embellishment, but not the best.

Here are the best enchants for an Arcane Mage:

• Cloak: Enchant Cloak - Chant of Burrowing Rapidity
• Chest: Enchant Chest - Crystalline Radiance
• Bracers: Enchant Bracer - Chant of Armored Speed
• Legs: Sunset Spellthread
• Boots: Enchant Boots - Scout's March
• Rings: Enchant Ring - Radiant Haste
• Weapon: Enchant Weapon - Authority of Radiant Power

Versatile Emerald is the best gem you can use. You also get access to a single Meta Gem. Using Cognitive Bloodstone is ideal for the meta slot.